Parish of the Messiah

Here at Parish of the Messiah, we take seriously the guidance found in the Catechism (Book of Common Prayer [1979], page 855): 

“The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.”  from Book of Common Prayer.

We believe that a strong part of formulating ministry as members of the Episcopal Church lies in continuing Christian education as part of a lifetime process. We will continue in the future to organize and participate in programs tailored to studying the Bible and cultivating our knowledge of our Episcopal faith.

During the course of the four Sundays in Advent 2012, the Parish of the Messiah organized an Inquirer’s Class for anyone interested in confirmation and reception. The classes were part of Messiah’s Adult Christian Formation, our education and outreach program, and were open to the public and the Messiah congregation, especially anyone curious about the Episcopal Church’s history, theology, and liturgy. In addition, this class serves as preparation for baptism, confirmation or reception into the Episcopal church for any adult member. This year the book, What is Anglicanism? by Urban T. Holmes, was read and discussed.  As of result of last year’s Inquirer’s Class, seven members of the congregation were confirmed or received at the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts’s Rite of Confirmation service held in May 2012 at Trinity Church, Copley Square. 

For the four Sundays in Advent 2011, those members of Messiah who were interested in confirmation and reception participated in an Inquirer’s Class. We read various sources, including the Book of Common Prayer, the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and items from the Parish of the Messiah archives.

In Lent 2012, we offered an adult study group, A Journey Through Lent. The group studied the Book of Common Prayer and Show Me the Way: Readings for Each Day of Lent by Henri Nouwen.

In Lent 2011, we participated in a Mediation series sponsored by the Charles River Deanery. Parishioners within the deanery drafted meditations that we studied during a course of Wednesday evenings. We began with evening prayer that followed with conversation over a light supper. We will continue this tradition this Lent. Click for details.

To use the Charles River Deanery Lenten Meditations 2012 for your personal devotions, please click here.

To use the Charles River Deanery Lenten Meditations 2013 for your personal devotions, please click www.trinitynewton.org/LentenMeditations.html. Both parts 1 and 2 are now available.

Those interested in participating in any of the Parish of the Messiah's adult education should contact contact Bernie Jones, Coordinator of Adult Christian Formation, at 617/527-8505.